Hull City boss Mike Phelan concedes they were outclassed by Liverpool for Saturday's 5-1 defeat.

Phelan's 54th birthday was one to forget.

"Yeah, I've certainly had better ones but the day is not over yet for me. I will have a drink on my birthday. You have to have one in defeat as well as when you win," he said.

"I am not going to pick holes in the team or the players. They have come a long way from pre-season and they have got points on the board already.

"We also knew we had a run of three games - Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea - that were always going to be difficult but we have to show some kind of discipline and desire.

"Liverpool are flying. You can see their mentality is good. Their work-rate is up there with the best.

"They are expressing that desire that they want to achieve something. It is going to be difficult to play against Liverpool in that mood."